Deer rifle for youth

I shot a Mod70 30.06 when I was 120 pounds. My Father bought or hand-loaded light loads until I was bigger/older and could handle heavier rounds with more punch and distance. His idea was to learn to shoot the rifle that I could own and shoot for the rest of my life. He was right, I still shoot and hunt with it over 30 years later.
 
I shoot both the 7mm-08 and .243. The 7mm has slightly more kick than the 243. I wouldn't hesitate shooting a deer with either one - and have done so. The 7-08 is a little more versatile in that I can take it for moose as well - and have done so also. The 7mm bullets seem to be more expensive than the 243's, plus the smaller caliber could also be a good varmint..

In my opinion the dirty 30 is a great little gun, but without a recoil pad, (generally a) lighter gun, and with shooting the larger bullets (150's), it has more felt recoil.

My vote would be to opt for a decent 243 - those Savage packages seem like a great way to go , I hope this helps...
 
How about a 308 and reduced loads to start with. What type of action does he like? You can get the 308 in them all.
What type of action does dad use, that might dictate what he will like.

Might be time to get into reloading you already have the helper in training and then you could look at the....
257 Roberts
 
I've started my grandson and nephew with a short stocked .30/06 carbine loaded with 125-130 gr bullets loaded to 2600 fps. This is an accurate combination with mild recoil and report that is suitable for deer hunting over normal hunting ranges. While there is managed recoil ammunition available, I don't know how easily it is obtainable nor can I comment on its suitability for young deer hunters. For sure the cost of any factory ammo is more limiting to the progress of a youngsters marksmanship than any other factor. I get that some folks don't have the resources, time, or interest to handload. But for anyone who takes shooting seriously, it provides great benefits.

If handloading is out of the question, a .223, .22-250, or a .243 all do about the same job with tolerable recoil, although with the exception of the .223, they tend to have objectionable blast. It all depends if there are minimum caliber restrictions in your province/territory.
 
Boomer said:
... For sure the cost of any factory ammo is more limiting to the progress of a youngsters marksmanship than any other factor. I get that some folks don't have the resources, time, or interest to handload. But for anyone who takes shooting seriously, it provides great benefits.

...
Click to expand...

If you can afford factory ammo, you can afford a Lee Loader. And it takes up as much space as a box of factory ammo.
 
After a lot of research I went with a Savage edge in 7mm-08 for my young daughter and it worked out great. She likes to shoot it and it will take anything in the woods around here. I started her with 120 grain handloads and then moved her up to 140 grain Barns TSX for hunting.
The 7mm-08 will last her as long as she wants to keep it. The edge / Axis are not too heavy , cheap and a great gun to get started on.
 
I use-to recommend that the kids start off with the 243 as well. Then I slowly realized that it's a small percentage of us who have a rifle for all occasions. I know tend to lean towards the 308 or 7MM-08 in a youth model. My ne reasoning for this is that the majority of people tend to stick with one rifle for most of there hunting life, and these 2 calibers will and can do it all. Weatherby even has a youth model with the shims to lengthen the stock as the child grows up.

Just my 2 bits
 
Stay away from the Edge (savage). The LOP is 14 and a quarter inches and is stupid to long for a kid. The dam recoil pad is an insert type and it is not easy to cut down. Get the youth model.
I have a rem 700 youth with the stock spacers. It is great but has too much recoil in 7-08 and factory 140g ammo. Get it in 243 and you will be fine.
 
Thanks for all the great information guys! I think I'm going to look at a youth model in 7mm-08. From what I've read here and other information I've found on the internet I think it's the way to go as it has a little more versatility if he chooses to hunt game larger than deer as he gets older.

I think I'm going to start him on managed recoil rounds at first and possibly try my hand at hand loading.

Now to hit the stores and see what we can find :)
 
savage axis youth model in 243 real nice little gun for a beginner and accurate as heck!!! Lebarons has them for $290 how can you go wrong
 
heiner39 said:
Thanks for all the great information guys! I think I'm going to look at a youth model in 7mm-08. From what I've read here and other information I've found on the internet I think it's the way to go as it has a little more versatility if he chooses to hunt game larger than deer as he gets older.

I think I'm going to start him on managed recoil rounds at first and possibly try my hand at hand loading.

Now to hit the stores and see what we can find :)
Click to expand...

Best you purchase two............:rolleyes:
That way your kid can use his..........;):p
I think you will be satisfied with this choice of caliber.
 
708

Hi just my 2 cents but you may want to get him a chance to try that out first.I had a mod 70 featherweight I bought last spring at wss even loaded down was heavy recoil for my 9 year old.I sold it and bought a new 6.5x55 in T3.Had stock cut to 12.5'' lop with grind to fit limbsaver installed than got a slip on pad so I could still shoot to build loads.I couldnt decide from a 260 or 6.5x55 but a friend had new redding 6.5 dies and got lapua brass from clay.Also put a nice tall bipod on it so he can shoot sitting up or knelling.If I didnt reload I would have went with the 260.tks robin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom